good evening Deerfield I’m Kishore bhardwaj and I’m the last
I’m Kishore bhardwaj and I’m the last
I’m Kishore bhardwaj and I’m the last scheduled TEDx speaker for tonight so
scheduled TEDx speaker for tonight so
scheduled TEDx speaker for tonight so before I get started with my talk I just
before I get started with my talk I just
before I get started with my talk I just like to congratulate all my fellow
like to congratulate all my fellow
like to congratulate all my fellow speakers on phenomenal talks and as well
speakers on phenomenal talks and as well
speakers on phenomenal talks and as well thank that TEDx team for helping put
thank that TEDx team for helping put
thank that TEDx team for helping put together this wonderful performance and
together this wonderful performance and
together this wonderful performance and help us with preparing her talk so could
help us with preparing her talk so could
help us with preparing her talk so could we just give them a quick hand
so with that I’d like to get started if
so with that I’d like to get started if you were to go to any drug store in
you were to go to any drug store in
you were to go to any drug store in America you’re bound to find products
America you’re bound to find products
America you’re bound to find products that will help you get 10 there are
that will help you get 10 there are
that will help you get 10 there are bronzers tanning lotions and even
bronzers tanning lotions and even
bronzers tanning lotions and even melanin boosting serums and all sorts of
melanin boosting serums and all sorts of
melanin boosting serums and all sorts of crazy stuff but instead let’s take a
crazy stuff but instead let’s take a
crazy stuff but instead let’s take a little bit of a trip about halfway
little bit of a trip about halfway
little bit of a trip about halfway across the world to a land where over
across the world to a land where over
across the world to a land where over time various races and ethnicities have
time various races and ethnicities have
time various races and ethnicities have ethnically bonded or amalgamated to
ethnically bonded or amalgamated to
ethnically bonded or amalgamated to create a naturally tan population and
create a naturally tan population and
create a naturally tan population and with that namaste and welcome to India
with that namaste and welcome to India
with that namaste and welcome to India this enchanting land of over 1 billion
this enchanting land of over 1 billion
this enchanting land of over 1 billion people is also home to 22 major world
people is also home to 22 major world
people is also home to 22 major world languages as well as many different
languages as well as many different
languages as well as many different ethnicities and cultures and throughout
ethnicities and cultures and throughout
ethnicities and cultures and throughout history different world powers of
history different world powers of
history different world powers of conquered different parts of the
conquered different parts of the
conquered different parts of the peninsula over time for instance the
peninsula over time for instance the
peninsula over time for instance the Mughal Empire in the north constructed
Mughal Empire in the north constructed
Mughal Empire in the north constructed world wonders that the world knows such
world wonders that the world knows such
world wonders that the world knows such as the Taj Mahal and the Kutub Minar and
as the Taj Mahal and the Kutub Minar and
as the Taj Mahal and the Kutub Minar and the Dravidians in the South who are the
the Dravidians in the South who are the
the Dravidians in the South who are the native people to the South constructed
native people to the South constructed
native people to the South constructed beautiful Indian temples as this
beautiful Indian temples as this
beautiful Indian temples as this hundreds of them the one pictured here
hundreds of them the one pictured here
hundreds of them the one pictured here is called Mahabalipuram it’s a religious
is called Mahabalipuram it’s a religious
is called Mahabalipuram it’s a religious site and the Portuguese and British
site and the Portuguese and British
site and the Portuguese and British conquerors also left behind their
conquerors also left behind their
conquerors also left behind their cultures and religion and although each
cultures and religion and although each
cultures and religion and although each state has its own different cuisines
state has its own different cuisines
state has its own different cuisines cultures day to day customs and
cultures day to day customs and
cultures day to day customs and languages there are also plenty of
languages there are also plenty of
languages there are also plenty of unifying factors Indian patriotism and
unifying factors Indian patriotism and
unifying factors Indian patriotism and national sports are two of the main glue
national sports are two of the main glue
national sports are two of the main glue sticking the myriads of these micro
sticking the myriads of these micro
sticking the myriads of these micro cultures together except it’s my painful
cultures together except it’s my painful
cultures together except it’s my painful duty to inform you that there’s one
duty to inform you that there’s one
duty to inform you that there’s one terrible cultural aspect tearing apart
terrible cultural aspect tearing apart
terrible cultural aspect tearing apart the Indian people and that is their
the Indian people and that is their
the Indian people and that is their obsession with light-skinned remember
obsession with light-skinned remember
obsession with light-skinned remember the tanning lotion from the first slide
the tanning lotion from the first slide
the tanning lotion from the first slide imagine the opposite of that but to an
imagine the opposite of that but to an
imagine the opposite of that but to an extreme extent imagine your mother
extreme extent imagine your mother
extreme extent imagine your mother scolding you for getting a Sports ten
scolding you for getting a Sports ten
scolding you for getting a Sports ten genuinely worried that you will not be
genuinely worried that you will not be
genuinely worried that you will not be able to get you married
able to get you married
able to get you married imagine being rejected by a potential
imagine being rejected by a potential
imagine being rejected by a potential spouse by the love of your life
spouse by the love of your life
spouse by the love of your life the only reason being that you are too
the only reason being that you are too
the only reason being that you are too dark
dark
dark imagine being an overqualified candidate
imagine being an overqualified candidate
imagine being an overqualified candidate for a job and your interview goes
for a job and your interview goes
for a job and your interview goes flawlessly you nail it but you don’t get
flawlessly you nail it but you don’t get
flawlessly you nail it but you don’t get called back why because the candidate
called back why because the candidate
called back why because the candidate who walked in five minutes after you was
who walked in five minutes after you was
who walked in five minutes after you was just a few shades lighter imagine you’re
just a few shades lighter imagine you’re
just a few shades lighter imagine you’re the darkest sibling in your family and
the darkest sibling in your family and
the darkest sibling in your family and you grow up knowing every single day of
you grow up knowing every single day of
you grow up knowing every single day of your life that you’ll never be the
your life that you’ll never be the
your life that you’ll never be the favorite child no matter how successful
favorite child no matter how successful
favorite child no matter how successful accomplished or philanthropic you may be
accomplished or philanthropic you may be
accomplished or philanthropic you may be imagine the culture around you forces
imagine the culture around you forces
imagine the culture around you forces you to bleach your skin and dye your
you to bleach your skin and dye your
you to bleach your skin and dye your hair just so you have a fair shot at
hair just so you have a fair shot at
hair just so you have a fair shot at success now you all are imagining right
success now you all are imagining right
success now you all are imagining right now but this nightmare this nightmare is
now but this nightmare this nightmare is
now but this nightmare this nightmare is a reality for the beautiful but darker
a reality for the beautiful but darker
a reality for the beautiful but darker boys girls women and men of the Indian
boys girls women and men of the Indian
boys girls women and men of the Indian subcontinent if you don’t believe me and
subcontinent if you don’t believe me and
subcontinent if you don’t believe me and there’s reason for you not to because
there’s reason for you not to because
there’s reason for you not to because I’ve just given you hypotheticals
I’ve just given you hypotheticals
I’ve just given you hypotheticals imagine this imagine that I want you to
imagine this imagine that I want you to
imagine this imagine that I want you to pay attention to the screen in a few
pay attention to the screen in a few
pay attention to the screen in a few minutes a few moments and watch a video
minutes a few moments and watch a video
minutes a few moments and watch a video of world famous Bollywood actor and for
of world famous Bollywood actor and for
of world famous Bollywood actor and for those of you who do not know what
those of you who do not know what
those of you who do not know what Bollywood is it’s the Indian version of
Bollywood is it’s the Indian version of
Bollywood is it’s the Indian version of Hollywood a video of Shahrukh Khan who’s
Hollywood a video of Shahrukh Khan who’s
Hollywood a video of Shahrukh Khan who’s a critically acclaimed actor endorsing a
a critically acclaimed actor endorsing a
a critically acclaimed actor endorsing a skin bleaching product and in this
skin bleaching product and in this
skin bleaching product and in this advertisement he tells a darker man in
advertisement he tells a darker man in
advertisement he tells a darker man in search for love in search for a soulmate
search for love in search for a soulmate
search for love in search for a soulmate to bleach his skin in order for him not
to bleach his skin in order for him not
to bleach his skin in order for him not to look like a lowly domestic to his
to look like a lowly domestic to his
to look like a lowly domestic to his female counterparts and although this ad
female counterparts and although this ad
female counterparts and although this ad is in Hindi which is the national
is in Hindi which is the national
is in Hindi which is the national language of India
language of India
language of India the degenerate and twisted logic that it
the degenerate and twisted logic that it
the degenerate and twisted logic that it is based off of simply speaks for itself
is based off of simply speaks for itself
is based off of simply speaks for itself please
please
please [Music]
[Music]
[Music] suppose morrow gay and havin territory
suppose morrow gay and havin territory
suppose morrow gay and havin territory and someone mandoline a fair and
and someone mandoline a fair and
and someone mandoline a fair and handsome friend scream more donkey
handsome friend scream more donkey
handsome friend scream more donkey sucked to a chocolate risk of five
sucked to a chocolate risk of five
sucked to a chocolate risk of five action fairness system they’d
action fairness system they’d
action fairness system they’d long-lasting Dora but they are very
long-lasting Dora but they are very
long-lasting Dora but they are very handsome man
that’s not an anomaly there are plenty
that’s not an anomaly there are plenty of ads like that if I wanted to I could
of ads like that if I wanted to I could
of ads like that if I wanted to I could fill up this whole TEDx talk with ads
fill up this whole TEDx talk with ads
fill up this whole TEDx talk with ads similar to that one and worse than that
similar to that one and worse than that
similar to that one and worse than that one well that’s for another time keep in
one well that’s for another time keep in
one well that’s for another time keep in mind that Shahrukh Khan the actor that
mind that Shahrukh Khan the actor that
mind that Shahrukh Khan the actor that you saw a role model for youth and young
you saw a role model for youth and young
you saw a role model for youth and young men my role model as a child growing up
men my role model as a child growing up
men my role model as a child growing up told the man in that video to bleach his
told the man in that video to bleach his
told the man in that video to bleach his skin and endorse this terrible practice
skin and endorse this terrible practice
skin and endorse this terrible practice of skin bleaching that’s pretty blunt
of skin bleaching that’s pretty blunt
of skin bleaching that’s pretty blunt and blatantly color discriminatory or
and blatantly color discriminatory or
and blatantly color discriminatory or the shorter-term colorist
the shorter-term colorist
the shorter-term colorist but the bluntness does not stop there in
but the bluntness does not stop there in
but the bluntness does not stop there in India where arranged marriage is still
India where arranged marriage is still
India where arranged marriage is still fairly common prospective husbands and
fairly common prospective husbands and
fairly common prospective husbands and wives give resumes and a list of
wives give resumes and a list of
wives give resumes and a list of prerequisites for a potential spouse in
prerequisites for a potential spouse in
prerequisites for a potential spouse in the matrimonial section of a newspaper
the matrimonial section of a newspaper
the matrimonial section of a newspaper so similar to in the States we have the
so similar to in the States we have the
so similar to in the States we have the sports section business session etc in
sports section business session etc in
sports section business session etc in India they also have a matrimonial
India they also have a matrimonial
India they also have a matrimonial section just for these ads so I’ve kind
section just for these ads so I’ve kind
section just for these ads so I’ve kind of pulled together a few newspaper
of pulled together a few newspaper
of pulled together a few newspaper clippings from different parts of India
clippings from different parts of India
clippings from different parts of India and let’s just look at a few so this is
and let’s just look at a few so this is
and let’s just look at a few so this is a matrimonial section from The Sunday
a matrimonial section from The Sunday
a matrimonial section from The Sunday Times and next to words like likes
Times and next to words like likes
Times and next to words like likes traveling and you know business major
traveling and you know business major
traveling and you know business major and likes kids likes to cook is a word
and likes kids likes to cook is a word
and likes kids likes to cook is a word that’s from I’ve taken newspapers from
that’s from I’ve taken newspapers from
that’s from I’ve taken newspapers from all different parts of India and there’s
all different parts of India and there’s
all different parts of India and there’s one word that’s in common between all of
one word that’s in common between all of
one word that’s in common between all of them and I’m gonna ask the audience does
them and I’m gonna ask the audience does
them and I’m gonna ask the audience does anybody want to guess what that word is
anybody want to guess what that word is
anybody want to guess what that word is fair skinned you guessed it
these newspaper clippings as I said are
these newspaper clippings as I said are from different parts of India and give a
from different parts of India and give a
from different parts of India and give a diverse sample of how these matrimonial
diverse sample of how these matrimonial
diverse sample of how these matrimonial sections are and this explicitly shows
sections are and this explicitly shows
sections are and this explicitly shows how a parent this fairness epidemic has
how a parent this fairness epidemic has
how a parent this fairness epidemic has become and unfortunately demanding fair
become and unfortunately demanding fair
become and unfortunately demanding fair spouse’s has become the norm now let me
spouse’s has become the norm now let me
spouse’s has become the norm now let me show you some statistics this graph is
show you some statistics this graph is
show you some statistics this graph is from part matrimony calm in addition to
from part matrimony calm in addition to
from part matrimony calm in addition to newspaper is in matrimonial sections
newspaper is in matrimonial sections
newspaper is in matrimonial sections they’re also dating websites so in the
they’re also dating websites so in the
they’re also dating websites so in the u.s. we have a harmony and match calm
u.s. we have a harmony and match calm
u.s. we have a harmony and match calm but in India they have both matrimony
but in India they have both matrimony
but in India they have both matrimony which is a dating site for arranged
which is a dating site for arranged
which is a dating site for arranged marriages so I’d like you to take a look
marriages so I’d like you to take a look
marriages so I’d like you to take a look at the South Indian graph right here and
at the South Indian graph right here and
at the South Indian graph right here and with a little bit of addition you can
with a little bit of addition you can
with a little bit of addition you can figure out that over fifty percent of
figure out that over fifty percent of
figure out that over fifty percent of South Indians identify as fair or very
South Indians identify as fair or very
South Indians identify as fair or very fair when South Indians are of the
fair when South Indians are of the
fair when South Indians are of the Dravidian ethnicity the same ethnicity
Dravidian ethnicity the same ethnicity
Dravidian ethnicity the same ethnicity that
that
that built the temples that I showed you
built the temples that I showed you
built the temples that I showed you earlier and Dravidians are naturally
earlier and Dravidians are naturally
earlier and Dravidians are naturally dark and have curly hair and me being a
dark and have curly hair and me being a
dark and have curly hair and me being a South Indian most South Indians do not
South Indian most South Indians do not
South Indian most South Indians do not look like me they’re dark and have curly
look like me they’re dark and have curly
look like me they’re dark and have curly hair resemble more African than white so
hair resemble more African than white so
hair resemble more African than white so when pigs fly that statistic is real so
when pigs fly that statistic is real so
when pigs fly that statistic is real so why is there such a stigma why are these
why is there such a stigma why are these
why is there such a stigma why are these South Indians embellishing their actual
South Indians embellishing their actual
South Indians embellishing their actual skin color acting like they’re lighter
skin color acting like they’re lighter
skin color acting like they’re lighter and more Caucasian looking than they
and more Caucasian looking than they
and more Caucasian looking than they actually are so I decided to research
actually are so I decided to research
actually are so I decided to research this question why is there such a stigma
this question why is there such a stigma
this question why is there such a stigma blame for colorism or color
blame for colorism or color
blame for colorism or color discrimination in India is attributed to
discrimination in India is attributed to
discrimination in India is attributed to different conquering powers in archaic
different conquering powers in archaic
different conquering powers in archaic principles throughout history and also
principles throughout history and also
principles throughout history and also immigrants immigrants are blamed for
immigrants immigrants are blamed for
immigrants immigrants are blamed for everything these days
everything these days
everything these days but Indo Orient’s who were immigrants
but Indo Orient’s who were immigrants
but Indo Orient’s who were immigrants from North India who were lighter than
from North India who were lighter than
from North India who were lighter than the native indigenous Indians there
the native indigenous Indians there
the native indigenous Indians there could have been a conflict there the
could have been a conflict there the
could have been a conflict there the Mughal Empire same people who built the
Mughal Empire same people who built the
Mughal Empire same people who built the Taj Mahal hailed from the Caucasus so
Taj Mahal hailed from the Caucasus so
Taj Mahal hailed from the Caucasus so there could have been some conflict and
there could have been some conflict and
there could have been some conflict and color discrimination there the British
color discrimination there the British
color discrimination there the British who were white there could have been
who were white there could have been
who were white there could have been some discrimination there and these all
some discrimination there and these all
some discrimination there and these all these different powers have received
these different powers have received
these different powers have received their fair share no pun intended of
their fair share no pun intended of
their fair share no pun intended of blame so I decided to research this
blame so I decided to research this
blame so I decided to research this little bit further so the caste system
little bit further so the caste system
little bit further so the caste system or the Varna system in Sanskrit has
or the Varna system in Sanskrit has
or the Varna system in Sanskrit has always been blamed for discrimination in
always been blamed for discrimination in
always been blamed for discrimination in India of all sorts and what the Varna
India of all sorts and what the Varna
India of all sorts and what the Varna system or caste system basically is it’s
system or caste system basically is it’s
system or caste system basically is it’s a system that attributes different jobs
a system that attributes different jobs
a system that attributes different jobs to different people in a community or
to different people in a community or
to different people in a community or originally based on merit but now it’s
originally based on merit but now it’s
originally based on merit but now it’s based on hierarchy so if I’m of a
based on hierarchy so if I’m of a
based on hierarchy so if I’m of a certain caste
certain caste
certain caste my kids will be of a certain caste my
my kids will be of a certain caste my
my kids will be of a certain caste my grandkids will be able to certain caste
grandkids will be able to certain caste
grandkids will be able to certain caste etc and this system was separating
etc and this system was separating
etc and this system was separating people into groups and the first
people into groups and the first
people into groups and the first recorded incidents of this in Hindu
recorded incidents of this in Hindu
recorded incidents of this in Hindu history was in the Rig Veda which was
history was in the Rig Veda which was
history was in the Rig Veda which was discovered about 3,500 years ago written
discovered about 3,500 years ago written
discovered about 3,500 years ago written 3,500 years ago and it is a highly
3,500 years ago and it is a highly
3,500 years ago and it is a highly revered Indian text and I looked through
revered Indian text and I looked through
revered Indian text and I looked through the Rig Veda in my free time and look
the Rig Veda in my free time and look
the Rig Veda in my free time and look chanced upon the poorest rakta which is
chanced upon the poorest rakta which is
chanced upon the poorest rakta which is a verse that analogizes the caste system
a verse that analogizes the caste system
a verse that analogizes the caste system of Varna system to an eternal being and
of Varna system to an eternal being and
of Varna system to an eternal being and I’ve written it here the brahmanas were
I’ve written it here the brahmanas were
I’ve written it here the brahmanas were as mouths the CRA’s were as arms the
as mouths the CRA’s were as arms the
as mouths the CRA’s were as arms the vices worst eyes the shooters were his
vices worst eyes the shooters were his
vices worst eyes the shooters were his feet and as you can see with this
feet and as you can see with this
feet and as you can see with this pyramid here the Brahmins referred to
pyramid here the Brahmins referred to
pyramid here the Brahmins referred to the members of the priests or academic
the members of the priests or academic
the members of the priests or academic caste they were responsible for passing
caste they were responsible for passing
caste they were responsible for passing on knowledge they held the power the
on knowledge they held the power the
on knowledge they held the power the truth Ria’s were the Warriors the kings
truth Ria’s were the Warriors the kings
truth Ria’s were the Warriors the kings and the legislative groups of India
and the legislative groups of India
and the legislative groups of India the vices were the merchants or
the vices were the merchants or
the vices were the merchants or landowners and the sudras
landowners and the sudras
landowners and the sudras were the vocational caste of India and
were the vocational caste of India and
were the vocational caste of India and made sure that garbage wasn’t rotting on
made sure that garbage wasn’t rotting on
made sure that garbage wasn’t rotting on the streets as the civilization
the streets as the civilization
the streets as the civilization progressed and this beautiful metaphor
progressed and this beautiful metaphor
progressed and this beautiful metaphor explains that without all castes present
explains that without all castes present
explains that without all castes present society would cease to function imagine
society would cease to function imagine
society would cease to function imagine it an eternal being without a mouth or
it an eternal being without a mouth or
it an eternal being without a mouth or without arms it’s very hard to imagine
without arms it’s very hard to imagine
without arms it’s very hard to imagine and many professors from universities
and many professors from universities
and many professors from universities have conjectured that the oral
have conjectured that the oral
have conjectured that the oral recitation method used to convey the
recitation method used to convey the
recitation method used to convey the Vedas and other important texts like
Vedas and other important texts like
Vedas and other important texts like this from mouth to mouth have maybe led
this from mouth to mouth have maybe led
this from mouth to mouth have maybe led to the misinterpretation of such
to the misinterpretation of such
to the misinterpretation of such metaphors eventually evolving into caste
metaphors eventually evolving into caste
metaphors eventually evolving into caste and color discrimination but I
and color discrimination but I
and color discrimination but I personally don’t believe in this and
personally don’t believe in this and
personally don’t believe in this and I’ll give some more evidence so throw it
I’ll give some more evidence so throw it
I’ll give some more evidence so throw it Hindu history many dark and non Brahman
Hindu history many dark and non Brahman
Hindu history many dark and non Brahman which are everyone above the priests
which are everyone above the priests
which are everyone above the priests class figures have been extremely
class figures have been extremely
class figures have been extremely revered and are venerated on a daily
revered and are venerated on a daily
revered and are venerated on a daily basis so two examples are Lord Krishna
basis so two examples are Lord Krishna
basis so two examples are Lord Krishna and Lord
and Lord
and Lord both incarnations of our God and they’re
both incarnations of our God and they’re
both incarnations of our God and they’re portrayed in blue in order to to
portrayed in blue in order to to
portrayed in blue in order to to describe detail otherwise if they were
describe detail otherwise if they were
describe detail otherwise if they were portrayed in black it would be very hard
portrayed in black it would be very hard
portrayed in black it would be very hard to show the intricacy of their faces and
to show the intricacy of their faces and
to show the intricacy of their faces and this even goes so far to say that
this even goes so far to say that
this even goes so far to say that Krishna which is the figure on the right
Krishna which is the figure on the right
Krishna which is the figure on the right even means black in Sanskrit and as for
even means black in Sanskrit and as for
even means black in Sanskrit and as for women
women
women the maiden Draupadi from the epic
the maiden Draupadi from the epic
the maiden Draupadi from the epic Mahabharata which is one of our ancient
Mahabharata which is one of our ancient
Mahabharata which is one of our ancient texts was very dark and was also very
texts was very dark and was also very
texts was very dark and was also very beautiful
beautiful
beautiful so if Hindu texts categorized people but
so if Hindu texts categorized people but
so if Hindu texts categorized people but did not discriminate by any means then
did not discriminate by any means then
did not discriminate by any means then when did this deviation from mutual
when did this deviation from mutual
when did this deviation from mutual respect to loathing dark-skinned happen
respect to loathing dark-skinned happen
respect to loathing dark-skinned happen turns out that the British were
turns out that the British were
turns out that the British were notorious for imposing their archaic
notorious for imposing their archaic
notorious for imposing their archaic Victorian ideals upon the Indian people
Victorian ideals upon the Indian people
Victorian ideals upon the Indian people and constantly reminded their subjects
and constantly reminded their subjects
and constantly reminded their subjects of the relative significance to their
of the relative significance to their
of the relative significance to their European rulers and there’s one sign
European rulers and there’s one sign
European rulers and there’s one sign outside of a European Club in India and
outside of a European Club in India and
outside of a European Club in India and a European club is like a Country Club
a European club is like a Country Club
a European club is like a Country Club in the states in India that the only
in the states in India that the only
in the states in India that the only prerequisite to get in is that you have
prerequisite to get in is that you have
prerequisite to get in is that you have to be white signs like this no dogs or
to be white signs like this no dogs or
to be white signs like this no dogs or Indians allowed to make matters worse
Indians allowed to make matters worse
Indians allowed to make matters worse there were black towns there were white
there were black towns there were white
there were black towns there were white towns the British segregated townships
towns the British segregated townships
towns the British segregated townships as they did in South Africa and many
as they did in South Africa and many
as they did in South Africa and many other nations probably the worst crime
other nations probably the worst crime
other nations probably the worst crime that they did to Indians amongst the
that they did to Indians amongst the
that they did to Indians amongst the realm of colorism said they gave lighter
realm of colorism said they gave lighter
realm of colorism said they gave lighter skin the Indians more power and chances
skin the Indians more power and chances
skin the Indians more power and chances to succeed within the British government
to succeed within the British government
to succeed within the British government and this led to a disparity but I
and this led to a disparity but I
and this led to a disparity but I personally still don’t understand
revolutionaries like Mahatma Gandhi
revolutionaries like Mahatma Gandhi toiled day and night to remove caste
toiled day and night to remove caste
toiled day and night to remove caste discrimination and allowed for an equal
discrimination and allowed for an equal
discrimination and allowed for an equal playing field meaning that anybody from
playing field meaning that anybody from
playing field meaning that anybody from any caste can pursue any profession that
any caste can pursue any profession that
any caste can pursue any profession that they like but for some reason India
they like but for some reason India
they like but for some reason India decided to do like a selective rebellion
decided to do like a selective rebellion
decided to do like a selective rebellion and did not rebel against all archaic
and did not rebel against all archaic
and did not rebel against all archaic and wrong principles but for some reason
and wrong principles but for some reason
and wrong principles but for some reason decided to cling on to color
decided to cling on to color
decided to cling on to color discrimination and colorism and let’s
discrimination and colorism and let’s
discrimination and colorism and let’s see how this color of sentiment has
see how this color of sentiment has
see how this color of sentiment has stayed within the Indian people years
stayed within the Indian people years
stayed within the Indian people years after the British left
after the British left
after the British left so this simple random sample is of men
so this simple random sample is of men
so this simple random sample is of men and women who were asked if they had the
and women who were asked if they had the
and women who were asked if they had the choice to go on a date with a date a
choice to go on a date with a date a
choice to go on a date with a date a lighter skinned person or not and as you
lighter skinned person or not and as you
lighter skinned person or not and as you can clearly see even taking margin of
can clearly see even taking margin of
can clearly see even taking margin of error into consideration the numbers are
error into consideration the numbers are
error into consideration the numbers are both above 50% showing how instinctively
both above 50% showing how instinctively
both above 50% showing how instinctively Indian the majority of the Indian people
Indian the majority of the Indian people
Indian the majority of the Indian people think in that having light skin and
think in that having light skin and
think in that having light skin and being beautiful are synonymous here’s
being beautiful are synonymous here’s
being beautiful are synonymous here’s another graph that shows the same random
another graph that shows the same random
another graph that shows the same random sample from before was asked to define
sample from before was asked to define
sample from before was asked to define the word beauty and the frequency shown
the word beauty and the frequency shown
the word beauty and the frequency shown are the percentages of people who use
are the percentages of people who use
are the percentages of people who use the word fair or light-skinned in their
the word fair or light-skinned in their
the word fair or light-skinned in their definition and as you can see both men
definition and as you can see both men
definition and as you can see both men and women are even taking margin of
and women are even taking margin of
and women are even taking margin of error into consideration are both above
error into consideration are both above
error into consideration are both above the 50% mark and keep in mind how males
the 50% mark and keep in mind how males
the 50% mark and keep in mind how males are slightly more receptive to having a
are slightly more receptive to having a
are slightly more receptive to having a light skinned woman then females are two
light skinned woman then females are two
light skinned woman then females are two men just keep that in mind for now I’ll
men just keep that in mind for now I’ll
men just keep that in mind for now I’ll get to that in this graph here and this
get to that in this graph here and this
get to that in this graph here and this is a very sad and interesting graph um
is a very sad and interesting graph um
is a very sad and interesting graph um the person surveying this random sample
the person surveying this random sample
the person surveying this random sample marked each survey e on a scale of 1 to
marked each survey e on a scale of 1 to
marked each survey e on a scale of 1 to 5 in terms of how dark or how light they
5 in terms of how dark or how light they
5 in terms of how dark or how light they were one being very dark five being very
were one being very dark five being very
were one being very dark five being very light now they were also asked if Fair
light now they were also asked if Fair
light now they were also asked if Fair is beautiful and the percentages shown
is beautiful and the percentages shown
is beautiful and the percentages shown are the people who say yes and almost
are the people who say yes and almost
are the people who say yes and almost disregarding your color over 50% in each
disregarding your color over 50% in each
disregarding your color over 50% in each survey responded that Fair is beautiful
survey responded that Fair is beautiful
survey responded that Fair is beautiful meaning that the people who were dark
meaning that the people who were dark
meaning that the people who were dark skinned
skinned
skinned sadly accepted the fact that Fair was
sadly accepted the fact that Fair was
sadly accepted the fact that Fair was beautiful and could this insinuate that
beautiful and could this insinuate that
beautiful and could this insinuate that dark is not beautiful to them possibly
dark is not beautiful to them possibly
dark is not beautiful to them possibly and this is females who know what we’re
and this is females who know what we’re
and this is females who know what we’re asked were they aware of the harms of
asked were they aware of the harms of
asked were they aware of the harms of bleaching their skin and as you can see
bleaching their skin and as you can see
bleaching their skin and as you can see 84% are aware and 16% are unaware but
84% are aware and 16% are unaware but
84% are aware and 16% are unaware but the majority of females did know the
the majority of females did know the
the majority of females did know the harmful effects of using bleach to
harmful effects of using bleach to
harmful effects of using bleach to artificially lighten their skin and skin
artificially lighten their skin and skin
artificially lighten their skin and skin lightening is a very common practice in
lightening is a very common practice in
lightening is a very common practice in India I showed you this ad I carried
India I showed you this ad I carried
India I showed you this ad I carried this word no I don’t carry this wherever
this word no I don’t carry this wherever
this word no I don’t carry this wherever I go um I brought this for this
I go um I brought this for this
I go um I brought this for this obviously but
obviously but
obviously but I got this from my local Indian grocery
I got this from my local Indian grocery
I got this from my local Indian grocery store in the Greater Boston area showing
store in the Greater Boston area showing
store in the Greater Boston area showing how it’s even spread around so if we
how it’s even spread around so if we
how it’s even spread around so if we could just pass that around please
could just pass that around please
could just pass that around please showing that this epidemic is real now
showing that this epidemic is real now
showing that this epidemic is real now you’ve seen the data you I’ve showed you
you’ve seen the data you I’ve showed you
you’ve seen the data you I’ve showed you some reasons behind colorism in some
some reasons behind colorism in some
some reasons behind colorism in some examples through the matrimonial ads and
examples through the matrimonial ads and
examples through the matrimonial ads and the color discrimination in Indian
the color discrimination in Indian
the color discrimination in Indian culture through that advertisement but
culture through that advertisement but
culture through that advertisement but now comes the question how do we fix
now comes the question how do we fix
now comes the question how do we fix this if you’ve been toning out my whole
this if you’ve been toning out my whole
this if you’ve been toning out my whole talk just listen to these few words
talk just listen to these few words
talk just listen to these few words colorism is a prejudice and it is deeply
colorism is a prejudice and it is deeply
colorism is a prejudice and it is deeply rooted deeply ingrained in the indian
rooted deeply ingrained in the indian
rooted deeply ingrained in the indian culture it’s like a phyllo pastry has
culture it’s like a phyllo pastry has
culture it’s like a phyllo pastry has mouths it’s a multi-layered problem it’s
mouths it’s a multi-layered problem it’s
mouths it’s a multi-layered problem it’s a result of many other issues that I
a result of many other issues that I
a result of many other issues that I didn’t even mention in this talk such as
didn’t even mention in this talk such as
didn’t even mention in this talk such as the education disparity between the rich
the education disparity between the rich
the education disparity between the rich and the poor the cultural competency
and the poor the cultural competency
and the poor the cultural competency disparity between metropolitan cities
disparity between metropolitan cities
disparity between metropolitan cities and backwards villages and even the
and backwards villages and even the
and backwards villages and even the rigid roles men and women are supposed
rigid roles men and women are supposed
rigid roles men and women are supposed to play in Indian society are all to
to play in Indian society are all to
to play in Indian society are all to blame and I could even give another TED
blame and I could even give another TED
blame and I could even give another TED talk just listing the factors that are
talk just listing the factors that are
talk just listing the factors that are attributed to color discrimination in
attributed to color discrimination in
attributed to color discrimination in India right now again colorism is a
India right now again colorism is a
India right now again colorism is a prejudice the Indian people do not need
prejudice the Indian people do not need
prejudice the Indian people do not need to learn cultural competency and accept
to learn cultural competency and accept
to learn cultural competency and accept that fair does not necessarily insinuate
that fair does not necessarily insinuate
that fair does not necessarily insinuate beautiful or that dark is beautiful
beautiful or that dark is beautiful
beautiful or that dark is beautiful because as you can see with this
because as you can see with this
because as you can see with this statistic over here um a lot of people
statistic over here um a lot of people
statistic over here um a lot of people know what they’re doing is wrong that
know what they’re doing is wrong that
know what they’re doing is wrong that bleaching their skin is wrong that
bleaching their skin is wrong that
bleaching their skin is wrong that conforming to this white ideal is wrong
conforming to this white ideal is wrong
conforming to this white ideal is wrong but for some reason still decide to do
but for some reason still decide to do
but for some reason still decide to do it it’s an addiction so instead of
it it’s an addiction so instead of
it it’s an addiction so instead of learning to accept the Indian people
learning to accept the Indian people
learning to accept the Indian people need to unlearn the years of
need to unlearn the years of
need to unlearn the years of institutionalized colorism and the
institutionalized colorism and the
institutionalized colorism and the promotion of falsehood that they have
promotion of falsehood that they have
promotion of falsehood that they have been under and as you can imagine
been under and as you can imagine
been under and as you can imagine unlearning something is much harder than
unlearning something is much harder than
unlearning something is much harder than learning something for instance
learning something for instance
learning something for instance anybody who’s tried to quit a bad habit
anybody who’s tried to quit a bad habit
anybody who’s tried to quit a bad habit smoking drinking drugs even biting nails
smoking drinking drugs even biting nails
smoking drinking drugs even biting nails it’s so hard to stop this almost
it’s so hard to stop this almost
it’s so hard to stop this almost instinctive task so we can solve this
instinctive task so we can solve this
instinctive task so we can solve this but it’s like a tree it’s very deeply
but it’s like a tree it’s very deeply
but it’s like a tree it’s very deeply rooted we have to get it it obliquely so
rooted we have to get it it obliquely so
rooted we have to get it it obliquely so how can we help how can you help
how can we help how can you help
how can we help how can you help there are many small solutions that need
there are many small solutions that need
there are many small solutions that need to be coupled together in order to
to be coupled together in order to
to be coupled together in order to defeat colors and color discrimination
defeat colors and color discrimination
defeat colors and color discrimination and I’ve listed a few of the problems
and I’ve listed a few of the problems
and I’ve listed a few of the problems just before and here I present to you my
just before and here I present to you my
just before and here I present to you my small solution and it is one small
small solution and it is one small
small solution and it is one small solution that needs to be kind of
solution that needs to be kind of
solution that needs to be kind of marched together with plenty of other
marched together with plenty of other
marched together with plenty of other solutions to defeat this monumental
solutions to defeat this monumental
solutions to defeat this monumental problem so let me go back to arranged
problem so let me go back to arranged
problem so let me go back to arranged marriages for a second
marriages for a second
marriages for a second so traditionally in many other cultures
so traditionally in many other cultures
so traditionally in many other cultures as well the woman does the domestic work
as well the woman does the domestic work
as well the woman does the domestic work takes care of the kids cleans the house
takes care of the kids cleans the house
takes care of the kids cleans the house cooks the food while the man makes the
cooks the food while the man makes the
cooks the food while the man makes the money and this means that being
money and this means that being
money and this means that being beautiful to men has become more
beautiful to men has become more
beautiful to men has become more important and to maintain socioeconomic
important and to maintain socioeconomic
important and to maintain socioeconomic status because the woman is completely
status because the woman is completely
status because the woman is completely financially dependent on the man and
financially dependent on the man and
financially dependent on the man and keep in mind how men were more receptive
keep in mind how men were more receptive
keep in mind how men were more receptive to having light-skinned brides so this
to having light-skinned brides so this
to having light-skinned brides so this puts a burden on the woman to become as
puts a burden on the woman to become as
puts a burden on the woman to become as light-skinned as possible to conform to
light-skinned as possible to conform to
light-skinned as possible to conform to beauty standards as much as they can so
beauty standards as much as they can so
beauty standards as much as they can so how do I say we solve this issue empower
how do I say we solve this issue empower
how do I say we solve this issue empower women short answer it make them
women short answer it make them
women short answer it make them financially independent it has worked
financially independent it has worked
financially independent it has worked beautifully in cities and more and more
beautifully in cities and more and more
beautifully in cities and more and more women joined the indian workforce and
women joined the indian workforce and
women joined the indian workforce and powers and numbers over 1 billion people
powers and numbers over 1 billion people
powers and numbers over 1 billion people the workforce is growing day by day so
the workforce is growing day by day so
the workforce is growing day by day so how can you help sitting at Deerfield
how can you help sitting at Deerfield
how can you help sitting at Deerfield Academy we can donate or volunteer to
Academy we can donate or volunteer to
Academy we can donate or volunteer to organizations such as care called vidi
organizations such as care called vidi
organizations such as care called vidi ala and c1 which is the self employment
ala and c1 which is the self employment
ala and c1 which is the self employment Women’s Association and these are all
Women’s Association and these are all
Women’s Association and these are all organizations that toil day and night to
organizations that toil day and night to
organizations that toil day and night to increase education in India increase
increase education in India increase
increase education in India increase awareness in India and also provide
awareness in India and also provide
awareness in India and also provide infrastructure for women to operate
infrastructure for women to operate
infrastructure for women to operate businesses in India and what this will
businesses in India and what this will
businesses in India and what this will do especially in the rural parts is help
do especially in the rural parts is help
do especially in the rural parts is help women become financially independent and
women become financially independent and
women become financially independent and by you know donating volunteering and
by you know donating volunteering and
by you know donating volunteering and even perhaps even working at
even perhaps even working at
even perhaps even working at organizations like these we can
organizations like these we can
organizations like these we can hopefully one day make it such that an
hopefully one day make it such that an
hopefully one day make it such that an Indian woman’s socioeconomic status has
Indian woman’s socioeconomic status has
Indian woman’s socioeconomic status has no correlation at all to the color of
no correlation at all to the color of
no correlation at all to the color of her skin and literally a call Videla can
her skin and literally a call Videla can
her skin and literally a call Videla can support what one Indian child’s
support what one Indian child’s
support what one Indian child’s education for literally a dollar a day
education for literally a dollar a day
education for literally a dollar a day so next time you want to buy a coffee at
so next time you want to buy a coffee at
so next time you want to buy a coffee at Cumberland Farms redirect that dollar to
Cumberland Farms redirect that dollar to
Cumberland Farms redirect that dollar to a call vidi ala one more day of
a call vidi ala one more day of
a call vidi ala one more day of education for a child one step closer to
education for a child one step closer to
education for a child one step closer to defeating colorism
defeating colorism
defeating colorism such a deeply rooted issue we should get
such a deeply rooted issue we should get
such a deeply rooted issue we should get started out now before it gets worse so
started out now before it gets worse so
started out now before it gets worse so now that you know how to solve it
now that you know how to solve it
now that you know how to solve it slightly I’m gonna end this on a
slightly I’m gonna end this on a
slightly I’m gonna end this on a personal note so I have a big family
personal note so I have a big family
personal note so I have a big family and what big families comes a lot of
and what big families comes a lot of
and what big families comes a lot of births and about two years ago my I
births and about two years ago my I
births and about two years ago my I guess she’s the toddler now cousin Lila
guess she’s the toddler now cousin Lila
guess she’s the toddler now cousin Lila was born about six months ago my baby
was born about six months ago my baby
was born about six months ago my baby cousin Annika was born and look they’re
cousin Annika was born and look they’re
cousin Annika was born and look they’re so cute Annika is on there on your left
so cute Annika is on there on your left
so cute Annika is on there on your left and Lila’s on the right and about two
and Lila’s on the right and about two
and Lila’s on the right and about two weeks ago my baby cousin Amara was born
weeks ago my baby cousin Amara was born
weeks ago my baby cousin Amara was born so you know I have so many new cousins
so you know I have so many new cousins
so you know I have so many new cousins now and Amara was named after my
now and Amara was named after my
now and Amara was named after my great-grandmother who’s unfortunately no
great-grandmother who’s unfortunately no
great-grandmother who’s unfortunately no longer with us today but she was loving
longer with us today but she was loving
longer with us today but she was loving independent driven feisty and she was
independent driven feisty and she was
independent driven feisty and she was also very dark and regardless of how
also very dark and regardless of how
also very dark and regardless of how dark these babies these my beautiful
dark these babies these my beautiful
dark these babies these my beautiful baby cousins turn out to be I want to
baby cousins turn out to be I want to
baby cousins turn out to be I want to guarantee their fair shot at success and
guarantee their fair shot at success and
guarantee their fair shot at success and to a certain extent make the color of
to a certain extent make the color of
to a certain extent make the color of their skin irrelevant relative to their
their skin irrelevant relative to their
their skin irrelevant relative to their siblings relative to the rest of the
siblings relative to the rest of the
siblings relative to the rest of the people and hopefully one day my cousins
people and hopefully one day my cousins
people and hopefully one day my cousins will not only be able to appreciate
will not only be able to appreciate
will not only be able to appreciate their true skin color but the Greater
their true skin color but the Greater
their true skin color but the Greater Indian population will be able to
Indian population will be able to
Indian population will be able to realize that the in will be able to
realize that the in will be able to
realize that the in will be able to realize that they should be able to see
realize that they should be able to see
realize that they should be able to see through the insignificant pigment of the
through the insignificant pigment of the
through the insignificant pigment of the membrane covering our bodies and instead
membrane covering our bodies and instead
membrane covering our bodies and instead appreciate what truly is on the inside
appreciate what truly is on the inside
appreciate what truly is on the inside and with that thank you for your time
and with that thank you for your time
and with that thank you for your time [Applause]
”
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